Waste Audit - Why is it important & how to do it?
The last place you want to explore would be a TRASH CAN!
However, it can be the best decision of your life!
Yes, you heard it right. Exploring your trash can drastically change your carbon footprint. Most things we throw in the bin can be recycled, reused or replaced with an eco-friendly alternative. However, lack of awareness towards trash has left us filled with landfills in every part of the country.
This blog guides you in carrying out a successful waste audit in your home. It helps you identify your consumption pattern and bring awareness towards unhealthy habits. A waste audit supports your pocket as it will put many resources to multiple uses. Explore the 5 steps of a waste audit and live a satisfying life by reducing your carbon footprint.
5 steps to conduct a waste audit at home
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Analyse & Segregate the waste
Select a specific day, maybe a weekend and explore your trash. Layout the whole trash and segregate them into different categories like plastic, wet waste, glass and electronics. If you are already collecting trash based on segregation, the audit will be much easier for you. Once you have the trash in front of you, it’s time to start observing and analyzing your contribution.
The waste audit can be more effective when all the family members are involved. However, the absence of any member should not hinder the waste audit. It is always important to begin the journey.
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Select what can be reused or recycled
You can recycle and reuse many things instead of throwing them in the bin. Use a plastic container, a bottle or maybe a single side used paper before throwing it into the bin. Also, recycle the plastic by sending it to the recycling facilities.
Make a list of such things that are in your trash. All the members of the family should have a look at the trash and search for their contribution to it. Personal action plays a huge role in reducing waste. Thus, identifying and noting down the changes on a personal level can be impactful.
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Determine what can be reduced
A lot of waste items in our trash are replaceable with sustainable options. Replace a plastic toothbrush, straws, disposable cutlery and other similar items with sustainable products. If you regularly use plastic bottles and dispose of them within a few months, try buying a glass, copper or bamboo bottle that lasts longer.
Instead of using paper napkins in the kitchen, use reusable bamboo napkins. Every time to encounter a trash item, think about a sustainable alternative. Using a bamboo toothbrush, neem-wooden comb, bottles, reusable cutlery, foldable cup, and other similar items can reduce your waste to a large extent. Read this blog to get some tips on living a sustainable life.
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Action Plan
After observing the trash and identifying the alternatives, now is the time to create an action plan. What is it that you can reduce in your personal life? Every individual leads a different life, and the waste generated by that individual depends upon it. If you tend to travel a lot, then there are chances that you do not generate much waste at home. However, the waste generates as you travel and consume.
If you are at home most of the time, your consumption pattern will decide the amount of waste you generate. Shifting to a new lifestyle can be difficult, but not if you have guidance and help. Take a notepad and pen to write down 2-3 changes that you will observe from now. Remember, they do not have to be extremely big.
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Reassessing at regular intervals
After you have conducted the audit, start noticing and collecting the waste that you generate on a personal level. Even when you are travelling, get into a habit of taking the trash back home. It will give you an idea about the waste you are generating.
A waste audit is not a one-time process. You will have to do it regularly to check the consistency. It can either be every 2-3 weeks or once a month. Check in with your family members and finalize a weekend wherein you all gather to do the waste audit.
It’s not a burden, but a part of life!
An activity like this will ask for some of your time and attention regularly. It is an investment towards a healthier future for the planet, which will benefit us and the coming generations. An increase in waste means an increase in all kinds of pollution and diseases. Losing our biodiversity and living in a polluted world is not something we want to experience.
Now is the time to take that step towards a cleaner and greener future. A waste audit is not a statutory compulsion but the need of the hour. Don't wait for the governments to make it a mandatory practice. Begin your audit NOW!
Author
Brinda shah is a freelance content writer. she is a ca turned into a writer who loves to read, write & meditate. you can connect with her on linkedin and on instagram
